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I just took ownership of my new Basscat Sabre last friday. I have owned several other brands but this is my first cat. So getting a feel for the boat is still somewthing i am working on. I have 5.5 hours on the motor now. the Merc. manual only covers to hrs. 3-4 on break in then it has no further info. i have done the break in thus far by the book. Yesterday i was out running the boat and decided to trim out the motor a bit and take the rpms up to the top side of the range for a short burst. 3 bumps of the trim and you could feel the boat start to lift. I got to 5000 to 5100 rpm. and got a warning horn, a quick scan of the guages and shutting the engine down quick I notice the water pressure was dropping fast. During break in with the motor fully tucked under i was questioning the water pressure. 8-10 psi fully tucked is all i was getting but no warning horns. I know i still have a few rpms there i aint getting to yet, but i cant get there without water pressure. Currently the jackplate is factory set at the two peices being flush with each other. I have a 24 fury prop on the boat. So i guess i got a couple of question i am looking for input on.Since i aint getting full rpms, but running out of water pressure is it safe to assume the jack plates not to high.Is it also safe to assume the trim swith may need adjusting to show the trim throughout the range. since I am getting 5-5100 with the trim switch showing a 1/4 trim.Is there a chance i just have a week water pump. I only show 5psi at idle and around 10 to 11 at 5100rpm on the water pressure.Keep in mind i am still trying to get the feel for a BassCat. Thanks for any input. I will check back later for inputs since now i am have to go to work.Last edited by muddywaters on April 13th, 2016, 1:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Sounds fishy. Factory new cat and motor? If not, definitely the pump.
Yes factory new. I contacted the dealer and scheduled it for a check up tomorrow.
Nope – 5psi at idle sounds good. Flush jackplate is not at all high – most run 3/8″ to 1/2″ higher. Without a smartcraft digital trim the readouts vary – but mine doesnt like to be above 1/4 trim on the gauge or the pressure starts dropping ( but Im higher on the plate). 8-10psi fully tucked is low. You need to let them run the boat and verify for themselves. The water inlets on the LU prefer to be square to the water flow. Too much or not enough trim will drop the water pressure. Turning will drop it some as well and needs a bump down or two on the trim switch. Let your dealership tell you whats going on.BTW – after 8 years and hundreds of hours running mine – I rarely have the analog trim gauge above 1/4 – 1/3 of the dial sweep at WFO. 100% will have the motor at full tilt and out of the water. 1/2 or less is full trim. The Sabre hull does not like a lot of trim to run – air cushion under the front and water flow under the pad gives you most of your lift. Past its “happy place” and youre just throwing water to look impressive – it costs you speed, fuel, and water pressure. Fast on a Sabre has the rooster tail long and low. Unlike most hulls – If its cowl high youre over trimmed. I trim based on gps speed and water pressure. Max speed comes in well before the WP drops below 13lbs.
Like I said I am still learning how a cat runs, I may have over trimmed it , but dont think so since I was still only at 5100 rpm. My past few boats you held the trim till it didnt lift no more to run them. Cats a whole new boat to me. I am still learning its cat like ways. Btw I had not gotten trimmed out to the point of chine walk or any kind of wheel torque. I can tell already tho that I am gonna be a huge fan of BassCat boats. I like the sabre a lot already and I aint even seen its full potential.
At 5100rpms – youre too slow to chine walk or get significant torque. The 8-10lbs at full tuck does seem too low – but what rpms were you running? It never hurts to have it looked at to make sure theres not an issue with thermostats or such in the cooling system. Normally a high temp will trigger the guardian which will drop you to 1000 rpms until it cools off. They can read the computer and tell. I really wish the dealerships would tell folks – keep the motor tucked for 5 hours and call us. Well go out with you after break-in and help you get to know the boat. For one – it would allow them to sniff out issues. Secondly – it would give you a better handle on what to expect from the hull and speed your learning process. Any BCB is a performance hull and it has a longer learning curve than the cookie cutter brands. On this one – when you trim will be progressive to how fast youre going. Ill bump it up a little once its leveled off until the hull starts to lift and loosen – then I start trimming by WP and gps speed. Theres an optimal trim point at really every speed and its load dependent. Its not a break over and trim till it stops kind of hull. Youll be amazed at how flat the hulls running at max speed. Nose high pictures helps to sell boats, but in real life thats not at all optimal.
I agree jstew! My p2 still amazes me as to how flat and little trim it takes. After running my 88 model that flew the nose like a kite. Sometimes I think some things not right but I kno its just the way these new cats run. That water pressure is definitly not right. I run around 20lbs at 5000 and 25 lbs at wot. And that is with the low water pick up plugged off.2013 PANTERA 2MERCURY 200 PRO XSMINNKOTA 80LB FORTREX25 fury
Thanks for the comments, I am experienced with HP hulls for sure, go fast is in my blood, always has been. I wont name brands outside of basscat here since its a basscat forum, Hint: those things that you shoot out of a gun that a certain boat is named after is the HP hull I am familiar with and they run flat as well. Just trying to get input on what folks had to say about basscat sabre hull and trim heights. There is no way a person can argue with experience. And to see what kind of water pressure others are experiencing at wot and throughout the ranges. I am tickled to death with my sabre so far, handles like a sports car, its nimble and quick, and holeshot, wow does the sabre have a hole shot, quickest holeshot of any boat i have ever owned.
Which merc are you running?
175 pro xs on my sabre
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